CA Glue: The ever popular, powerful, and long lasting glue

CA glue, short for Cyanoacrylate, is a particularly quick drying and very powerful acrylic resin that creates a lasting and strong hold for anything from fake nails to home repairs and model airplanes. It is one of the most commonly used glues today due to its properties, which allow it to dry quickly, and create a powerful and firm bond. Due to the compounds within CA glue, it requires moisture for the glue to adequately form lasting bonds, even the smallest amount of moisture will do. CA glue comes in a variety of different thicknesses, for big projects or small, making it applicable to a wide variety of materials – beauty products, clothing and fabrics, wood, and plastics, among many others. Although CA glue is slightly more expensive than other glues, if used sparingly it can last a long time – even a small amount can go a long way.

Advantages:

CA glue has many advantages that account for its popularity. The majority of the properties in CA glue are non-toxic, making this a safe glue to have around the house. This extremely powerful glue dries almost immediately after being applied, making projects quicker and easier to complete. It also creates a very strong and lasting hold. The range of thickness is another advantage as it can be used for a variety of different projects. Don’t worry about water; CA glue is water-resistant, making it perfect for applications underwater!

Disadvantages:

Because it is a high quality glue, it is more expensive than other glue types. Also, it does not last forever, so although it is cheaper to buy in large quantities, it does not have permanent longevity. Also, CA glue is very overpowering and can be rather hard on your respiratory system, so careful not to breathe in too much! However, the burning sensation some may encounter is not dangerous. Lastly, CA glue has a low intolerance to humidity and heat, thus it is better used in controlled environments!

Helpful hints:

When using a thicker CA glue, let it set for at least an hour (depending on the thickness and material). The thicker the glue, the longer is needed for it to sufficiently dry without gaps or cracking. Moreover, take caution when applying the glue as it dries almost immediately! Acetone is great for removing glue off your hands, for cleaning spills, or removing glue off of materials. Allow for plenty of ventilation for the glue, and Acetone, as both are very pungent. Store CA glue in the refrigerator, tightly concealed to keep out moisture and ensure freshness, in order to increase longevity!